Guard Dog

[drumstick diva]

have to say your avatar is the sweetest little baby I've ever seen

 

[lleighton]

What a great little dog! I am happy to see that you were able to train her not to attack and kill the chickens. Was your dog prey-driven before the chickens arrived? Did she ever successfully catch a critter? I am hoping to start a flock in spring 2014 and my two German shepherd dogs are quite prey driven (they tend to get moles, mice, possums, etc.) They will need to be brought up to speed about their job being to protect the chickens not chase and kill them. I am a little worried about it, since they have chased the neighbors chickens that have wandered into our yard. One of my dogs will stop chasing on a dime when yelled to (she is 5 years old and very well behaved although she is the one who catches and kills all the little critters). The other one is still young (he is about 18 months old). He listens less, but he is not as fast or as cunning as his smaller and wiser sister. We will have to work with them substantially throughout the fall and winter so they will be at their best by spring.

 

[dwalters]

It has been my experience that German shep are simply naturally born killers. Everyone we have had has been trouble with killing. My chick guard is American bulldog. He does very well. Terriers like moshie are wonderful at deterring predators also. Its what they live for!

 

[lleighton]

Hi dwalters, I am truly hoping that my shepherds herding and protecting instincts (they do have them as well) kick in (with lots of training and corrections) rather than their prey drive. German shepherds are extremely intelligent and easily trainable. But my plan of having a moving tractor paddock rather than free-ranging chickens will protect the chickens until I know what the outcome is. Once my dogs accept someone into their "pack" they become very protective and loving and although we don't have other animals right now (no cats, hamsters, birds etc.) so I can't be 100% sure it will work.. I will be very careful and very diligent in my endeavor.. thanks for the insight!

cheers,
Laura

 

[dwalters]

Good luck! They are HIGHLY intelligent dogs and I think ur right, when they see chicks as part of the family or "herd", they should do anything to protect them!

 

[Abbys Egg Farm]

have to say your avatar is the sweetest little baby I've ever seen

Oh she certainly is!

 

[Abbys Egg Farm]

What a great little dog! I am happy to see that you were able to train her not to attack and kill the chickens. Was your dog prey-driven before the chickens arrived? Did she ever successfully catch a critter? I am hoping to start a flock in spring 2014 and my two German shepherd dogs are quite prey driven (they tend to get moles, mice, possums, etc.) They will need to be brought up to speed about their job being to protect the chickens not chase and kill them. I am a little worried about it, since they have chased the neighbors chickens that have wandered into our yard. One of my dogs will stop chasing on a dime when yelled to (she is 5 years old and very well behaved although she is the one who catches and kills all the little critters). The other one is still young (he is about 18 months old). He listens less, but he is not as fast or as cunning as his smaller and wiser sister. We will have to work with them substantially throughout the fall and winter so they will be at their best by spring.

Well she does kill opossums like a pit bull would. All you can hear is the snapping of bone. It is hard to believe that such a small dog has such jaw strength. I will not let her get into it with a coon though. They are way too big for her but, we have yet to have one get in the yard. Correction on my dog had to be immediate. Once she learned the hens were off limits she was fine.

 

[Abbys Egg Farm]

Moshie cannot seem to wait to get outside and be deployed to her post. MOS? "Chicken Guard Dog"